BOLDLY GO OFF THE BEATEN PATH IN TOYOTA TACOMA TRAILHUNTER!

By NITISH S. RELE – MOTORINGFLORIDA@GMAIL.COM
Off-road enthusiasts, your ride has arrived as in the Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter, an all-new trim. You want healthy acceleration, remarkable handling and steering feel? Then the power train in this hot-selling pickup will leave you with a smile on your face. Its all-wheel-drive capabilities ensure sure-footedness on the toughest of roads.
Redesigned inside out for 2024, the midsize pickup gets the first ever I-FORCE MAX hybrid power train, a 2.4-liter inline-4 cylinder turbocharged engine pumping out 326 horsepower @ 6000 rpm and 465 pounds-feet of torque @ 1700 rpm. The 4X4 double cab truck is mated to a 1.87 kWh battery and 48-hp electric motor. An 8-speed auto gearbox is serene and effortless. Suspension is handled competently via an independent coil spring double wishbone front and a leaf spring rear. The 2.5-inch Old Man Emu shocks ensure stability and maneuverability of the Tacoma while traversing rough and bouncy terrain, as does the part-time 4WD with a two-speed transfer case and active traction/hill start assist controls. You can count on the electric power rack-and-pinion steering for a solid and communicative feel. And 6,000-pound capacity should be plenty to tow.
Up front, a mammoth bronze TOYOTA heritage grille with an integrated LED light bar conveys an intimidating experience. It’s further boosted by RIGID LED fog lamps, steel skid plate and the unmistakable A-pillar mounted air intake! You can’t help but notice the
lofty and burly hood. Head over to the rear and TACOMA stamped in all caps, ARB steel bumper and ARB modular bed utility bar with removable Molle panels is an instant giveaway that this is indeed Toyota’s hot-selling midsize truck. Climb into the cabin and you won’t find a reason to complain about seating space. Traditional gauges for speedometer, tachometer, fuel and engine oil pressures are easy to read. The center stack of audio and climate knobs is within the driver’s convenient reach. A dial on the dash offers the option of 2WD, 4L and 4H. There also is an adjustable tie-down cleat 5-foot-long bed to easily haul your purchases from the neighborhood home store. Eight-way power heated/cooled seats are standard along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The previous 8-inch infotainment screen is replaced by a massive 14-inch display. Other customary treats include dual a/c, leather tilt/telescopic steering column and shifter, power windows/door locks/tailgate, push-button start, 60/40 rear seat, wireless phone charger and overhead sunglass holder.
Dual front airbags, side curtain airbag, front knee airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, stability, traction and trailer sway controls, blind-spot monitor with rear-cross traffic alert, electronic locking rear differential, multi-terrain monitor, daytime running lights and tire pressure monitoring system come at no cost. Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 includes a pre-collision system to detect pedestrians, lane trace alert with steer assist and dynamic cruise control.
So, why should you buy the Tacoma? Well, it’s not a full-size pickup but serves the purpose of one with commanding cargo and towing capability, and adequate fuel efficiency while delivering a no-frills ride. Get the Trailhunter and prepare for an adventure off the beaten path!
TACOMA (TRAILHUNTER)
Tires: 265/65R18
Wheelbase: 131.9 inches
Length: 213 inches
Height: 73.7 inches
Width: 76.9 inches
Weight: 5,410 pounds
Fuel capacity: 18.2 gallons
City: 22 mpg
Highway: 24 mpg
Base price: $62,900
Price as tested: $64,944
Web site: www.toyota.com